Third Person’s POV


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    The soldiers in the Royal Guard lived for strength and battlefield legends. When Ampelio started running his mouth, it didn’t take long for the locker room to turn into a heated debate.


    “I knew it! Alpha Zander runs a tight ship–theres no way he’d sign off on ughtering civilians!”


    “Exactly! That’s rogue behavior. That bitch Velda must have lost her mind trying to rack <b>up </b>extra credit!”


    “Hell, if Zander gets pinned for this, I’m not standing for it!”


    The werewolf social scene is like a massive spiderweb. These guards hit the bars, the training pits, and go home to their mates, whispering the same story every step of the way. By morning, the gossip had wings.


    This was exactly what Adide wanted.


    Step one of her revenge: narrative control.


    She needed to bank massive public support for Zander before the trial even started. If the city believed “Alpha Zander is an innocent hero dragged down by a psycho subordinate,” that public trust would be the strongest shield she had.


    Ironically, back when the Snowdeer Town victory happened, Lycan Erasmus had given all the credit to Ulrik and Velda to build them up as his personal rising stars.


    It’s a ssic power y–ignore the old, established families and promote the young blood who owe you everything.


    Adide’s father had risen the right way, through real blood and grit. Velda, however, had built her throne on a pile of lies.


    Now, those “achievements” were irond evidence of her presence at the scene, while the sidelined Alpha Zander suddenly had a path to freedom.


    Inside the Royal Enforcement Bureau’s detention center, Velda was locked in a reinforced silver–ted cage.


    The interrogation was strictly ssified, but Lycan Erasmus had sent two observers: Ulrik and Jeremy.


    13:03 Wed, Feb 4 @ G


    Jeremy was a ghost. He’d been with Lycan Erasmus since he was a Prince.


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    He rarely spoke, and his scent was so faint he was practically invisible. He was Lycan Erasmus’s hidden de, the guy who handled the “dirty work” no one was supposed to see.


    Since Lycan Erasmus took the throne, most people had forgotten Jeremy existed.


    Buttely, he’d been busy.


    Lycan Erasmus had named him the Vice–Captain of the Guard, right under Ulrik.


    It was a calcted move: Ulrik was the shy target, while Jeremy was the shadow waiting to strike.


    During this session, Velda’s story had to match Ulrik’s timeline of the warehouse fire perfectly, Jeremy was there to make sure the “official” version stayed on track.


    Late night at the ckthorn packhouse, the study was dim and heavy with the scent of high- tier Alpha pheromones.


    No one was talking. Everyone was buried in files and intel, triple–checking their strategy.


    Even with all their prep, they knew Alpha Zander couldn’t walk away totally clean.


    It was the ironw: amander is responsible for his soldiers. Period.


    Neither Lance nor Adide expected an acquittal; their goal was damage control–save his life, save his honor.


    Lance looked up, his handsome face tense in the flickeringmplight.


    “We have to stop this from turning into an all–out war.”


    His voice was low but certain.


    As long as we don’t go to war with the West, this stays a diplomatic mess. We can negotiate. We can trade. But if the first shot is fired, Zander is as good as dead.”


    The word “dead” hit the room like a lead weight


    If war broke out, Velda would be executed to satisfy the West, and Zander, as the man in charge, would likely follow her to the gallows to save face for the kingdom.


    Adide’s heart skipped a beat. She bit her lip so hard she nearly drew blood, fighting back


    Across the table, Craig let out a heavy sigh.


    13:03 Wed, Feb 4 @ G G .


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    “Maybe it’s not that bleak, Craig offered. “Lycan Erasmus is cold, but he knows what Zander has done for this country. The Council Elders will push back. A death sentence… it shouldn’t go that far.”


    “No.”


    Adide took a breath, letting Lance’s calming scent ground her. She forced the tears back and her eyes turned to steel.


    “We aren’t betting my grandfather’s life on the ‘mercy‘ of Lycan Erasmus. That’s just sticking our necks out for him to bite.”


    She stood up, leaning her hands on the table.


    “What if he uses this to purge the old guard once and for all? We can’t take that risk.”


    “Lance is right. There can be no war. If the public demands blood and the West starts winning, Lycan Erasmus won’t protect Zander–he’ll sacrifice him.”


    “Besides…” Adide thought, her eyes shing cold.


    “Lycan Erasmus doesn’t exactly have a history of doing things out of the goodness of his heart.”


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    <strong>Olivia Harris</strong> is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.